RETIRED FRIENDS
CHESTER
Registered Name: Scotch's Hot Chocolate
Breed: Quarter Horse
Sex: gelding
Came to Strides: Jan 13, 2018
Chester was in training to become Mr. Jon's next Pendleton Rodeo horse, but after a car hit him in the pasture one night, that plan changed. Realizing that Chester would need a less grueling pace of life after helping him recover from his injuries, Mr. Jon sought out Strides. Chester did quite well in his new job. He often could be seen playing with his feed pan in the afternoon.
CINDER
Breed: Morgan
Sex: mare
Came to Strides: December 2015
Cinder was rescued from slaughter and was initially thought to be in foal. Skin and bones upon arrival, Cinder was rehabbed back to health over several years. She was placed in training and learned what it means to be a Strides therapy horse.
ONYX
Breed: Gypsy Vanner
Sex: mare
Came to Strides: May 25, 2018
Onyx was gifted to Strides from LexLin in Tennessee. The TriCities rallied to raise funds for Onyx's travels to our home town of Pasco. Onyx is a sweet girl, eager to join in on the fun. Her previous job was being a mommy to her cute babies.
SPARKY
Registered name: Sparky in His Long Johns
Breed : American Miniature Horse
Sex : Gelding
Came to Strides: 2010
Sparky is an adorable miniature horse. That's right. Horse. Not pony. He provided our clients with his services during ground lessons. Sparky knows how to ride in elevators, go up stairs, and walk in schools. He was an AMHA Grand Champion Driving horse. Sparky was rescued from an abusive home and leased by Strides.
LILY
Breed: Paint-Arab cross
Sex: mare
Came to Strides: 2019
Little Lily knows all kinds of fun tricks. This pint-sized beauty enjoys her pasture time with the tiny Diva.
CHAMP
Breed: Quarter Horse
Sex: Gelding
Came to Strides: October 2017
Champ enjoyed his work in the therapy and adaptive riding programs.
HURLEY
Breed: Quarter Horse
Sex: gelding
Came to Strides: March 2021
Hurley is trained in cowboy dressage. He looks nearly identical to Sunshine. Was retired due to being so accident prone.
RED OPIE
Breed: Appaloosa-Arab cross
Sex: gelding
Came to Strides: 2019
Opie acclimated to our programs very quickly. He became a huge asset and was so well loved. He has a special ability to sense when a person's blood pressure or blood sugars are low and will stop walking when detected. He loves McDonald's french fries.
PAINTED LILY
Breed: American Painted Horse
Sex: mare
Came to Strides: 2020
Lily is a retired Western Pleasure show horse with two crystal blue eyes. She is a great communicator and will let you know when you need to adjust yourself in the saddle. She has to wear sunscreen and eye protection in the summer to prevent sunburns and eye problems.
DIVA
Breed: American Miniature Horse
Sex: mare
Came to Strides: March 2018
Diva lives up to her name & believes she is the queen of the entire herd. She had one foal prior to coming to Strides. Her best friend was Penny. Diva tolerated being dressed up for photos and silly games like a pro.
PENNY
Breed: American Miniature Horse
Sex: mare
Came to Strides: June 2022
Penny with special needs - she had the horse version of diabetes. She was a sweet, quiet girl who has bonded strongly with Diva.
BLACK JACK
Breed: Paint
Sex: gelding
Came to Strides: December 2021
Black Jack was donated to Strides from a large family of kiddos that prepared this old man for his therapy job. He was A-OK with just about everything. He was best friends with Ozzie.
TUFF
Breed: Paint
Sex: Gelding
Came to Strides: with Hope
Tuff was a kind, beautiful soul that had degenerative blindness in both eyes and suspected neurological condition. Before his symptoms progressed, he loved to be ridden and was voiced trained for safety. He enjoyed life and his friends for many years at Strides.
FLICKA
Forever in our hearts: summer 2015
Flicka was a kind soul that was born to be a therapy horse. She stood patiently waiting while her frightened riders overcame their fears. Riders learned to trust that Flicka would take care of them during their time with her. We miss her dearly.
SAM
Forever in our hearts: winter 2016
Sam was a one of a kind horse who would stop traffic at the sound of a peppermint wrapper. He loved to put on a performance as he recalled his glory days as a show horse. In his later years, Sam enjoyed observing the kids and younger horses as they completed their therapy in the nearby arena.
CHIQUITA
Forever in our hearts: Jan 1, 2018
Chiquita called Strides her home for 8 years. In those 8 years she helped so many children conquer fears and achieve great things. She had a heart of gold and enough sass to keep new volunteers on their toes whenever the gate opened. She leaves behind her best friend Sparky who misses her dearly.
SNIP
Forever in our hearts: Sept 1, 2018
2017 HORSE OF THE YEAR
Snip was rescued from a poor living situation & brought to Strides December 2014. For four years, this sweet Arabian mare befriended each client and volunteer that had the privilege of meeting her. She aimed to please. She would eagerly place her nose into her halter when it was time to go to work. She loved to be pampered like a princess. Her favorite treat was a Honeycrisp apple.
CYCLONE
Came to Strides: 2011
Forever in our hearts: 2019
He retired from the therapy program November 2018. Sadly, he became sick a couple months later and passed over the rainbow bridge. Cyclone was a special soul who loved his humans and loved his job. He would happily turn his head and nicker at each child when they arrived. He carefully stood still as his rider would balance against him during a grooming session. He also loved to race his friend Gypsy in the pasture or graze peacefully with his best friend Pete.
FANCY
Breed: Quarter Horse
Sex: mare
Fancy is our Come Back Girl; she has retired from the Strides program twice, but just can't seem to stay retired. She is a gentle soul who loves to play in her water trough for hours. She has to watch her diet; too much sugar is not good for her health.
SUNSHINE
Breed : Tennessee Walker
Sex : Mare
Came to Strides: 2012
Sunshine would love nothing more than to babysit all the little humans. Her other favorite thing is scratching her belly in the warm summer grass while she grazes laying down. She is a big mover which provides a lot of input to clients. She is also the boss of the entire Strides herd.
PETE
Registered name: Symphony In Red +
Breed : Saddlebred-Arabian cross
Sex : Gelding
Came to Strides: Summer 2015
Pete LOVES to perform for a crowd. His favorite Strides event is the end of the year Rider Showcase. Pete's best friend is Cyclone. He was an extraordinary horse with multiple Championships to his credit in both Open and Amateur divisions with only 3 years in the ring, earning National accolades his first year out and Legion of Honor in 2 years.